NORFOLK, Neb. – Coffee chats provide a relaxed setting for people from various backgrounds to exchange information and form friendships.
The informal setting helps to expand professional networks, foster an inclusive culture or make friends. So, it was fitting that that latest Northeast Community College Coffee & Conversations on Monday, Oct. 7, would be on the topic of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Leonor Fuhrer of Norfolk led the discussion, which included a mixture of students, staff and her family. Hispanic Heritage Month is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Fuhrer shared that she is of Mexican ancestry, with her parents moving to Nebraska from California.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, one in every four children, 25.7% (18.8 million), in the United States were of Hispanic origin in 2020, up from 23.1% (17.1 million) in 2010.
The start date of National Hispanic Heritage Month is significant because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively, according to the Census Bureau.
Coffee & Conversation speaker cutline
Leonor Fuhrer of Norfolk (center) gestures on Monday, Oct. 7, at the latest Coffee & Conversation at Union 73. (Northeast Community College)